Exchanging your driving licence in Spain is the procedure for replacing a foreign driving licence with an equivalent Spanish licence, provided you meet the requirements set by the Directorate-General for Traffic (DGT) and Spain has an agreement with the country that issued your licence.
This procedure is especially important for foreign nationals already living in Spain who want to continue driving legally. This guide explains who can exchange a driving licence, which countries have an agreement, what documents you need, how to book a DGT appointment, how much it costs, when you have to take a test and which mistakes to avoid.
Quick summary
Key points for exchanging your driving licence in Spain
Important: if your licence was issued by a country outside the European Union or the European Economic Area, you can usually drive in Spain for a maximum of 6 months from the date you establish your normal residence. After that, if you want to continue driving, you must exchange your licence if an agreement is in place, or obtain a Spanish licence if it is not eligible for exchange.
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What it means to exchange your driving licence in Spain
Exchanging a driving licence means replacing a foreign licence with an equivalent Spanish one. This is not the same as applying for a new licence from scratch; it means Spain recognises the driving entitlements you already hold in your country of origin.
For example, if your country has an agreement with Spain and your licence authorises you to drive a car, motorcycle or professional vehicles, the DGT may recognise those categories. In some cases, however, it may require additional tests, particularly for truck or bus licences.
Once the procedure is complete, you hand in your original foreign licence and receive an equivalent Spanish licence. In many cases, the DGT can issue a provisional driving authorisation while you wait for the permanent licence to arrive.
Who can exchange a driving licence
Not everyone can exchange their foreign driving licence. Several administrative requirements must be met for the exchange to be possible.
General requirements
- Be resident in Spain.
- Hold a valid, current foreign driving licence.
- There must be a licence exchange agreement between Spain and the country that issued the licence.
- You must have obtained the licence before becoming a legal resident in Spain, except in special cases.
- Prove your identity and residence.
- Submit the original licence you wish to exchange.
- Submit a medical fitness report from an authorised Driver Recognition Centre.
- Pay the applicable DGT fee.
Tip: Before booking an appointment or starting the process, check whether your country is on the official list of countries with an exchange agreement and whether your type of licence requires additional tests.
Driving licences from the European Union and the European Economic Area
If you hold a licence issued by a country in the European Union or the European Economic Area, such as Iceland, Liechtenstein or Norway, you can drive in Spain as long as your licence is valid and has not been withdrawn.
In these cases, exchanging your licence is usually voluntary. However, you may wish to complete procedures such as exchange, registration, renewal or replacement if your licence is about to expire, you have lost it or you want to obtain a Spanish licence.
EU/EEA licences: summary
- You can drive in Spain as long as your licence is valid.
- You usually do not have to exchange your licence if it is still valid.
- If your licence expires, you may need to renew it in Spain.
- The DGT offers various procedures for European licences.
Licences from countries outside the European Union
If your licence was issued by a country outside the European Union or the European Economic Area, different rules apply. In general, you can drive in Spain for a maximum of 6 months from the date you establish normal residence, as long as your licence is valid and you meet the minimum age required in Spain for that type of licence.
After this period, if you want to keep driving, you must exchange your licence if your country has an agreement with Spain. If there is no agreement, you cannot complete a standard exchange and will have to obtain a Spanish licence.
| Situation | Can you drive? | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| You have just obtained residence in Spain | Yes, for a maximum of 6 months, if your licence is valid. | Check whether your country has an exchange agreement and start the process in good time. |
| More than 6 months have passed | Your foreign licence may no longer be valid for driving in Spain. | Exchange your licence if possible, or obtain a Spanish licence. |
| Your country has no exchange agreement | You will not be able to complete a standard exchange. | You will have to obtain a Spanish driving licence from scratch. |
Which countries have an agreement to exchange driving licences in Spain
Spain has driving licence exchange agreements with many countries. The list may change, so you should always check it with the DGT before starting the process.
Among the countries on the DGT’s official list are, among others, Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Morocco, Peru, the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland, the Dominican Republic, Uruguay, Ukraine, Turkey, Switzerland, Japan, South Korea, Andorra, Monaco, and several countries in the European Union and the European Economic Area.
Important: If your country is not on the list of countries with an agreement, you will generally not be able to exchange your licence through the standard procedure. In that case, you will have to obtain a Spanish driving licence.
Which driving licences cannot be exchanged
Even if your country has an agreement with Spain, there may be cases in which your licence cannot be exchanged. Here are some of the main situations:
- Licences obtained when the holder was already legally resident in Spain.
- Licences issued by countries that do not have a driving licence exchange agreement with Spain.
- Licences obtained by exchanging a licence from another country that does not have an agreement with Spain.
- Expired or invalid licences.
- Licences that do not meet the format requirements under the applicable regulations.
- Venezuelan licences issued in PDF format, since the DGT states that only licences originally issued as plastic cards can be exchanged.
Documents required to exchange your driving licence
The documents required may vary depending on the country where the licence was issued and the type of exchange, but the DGT will generally require proof of identity and residence, the original licence, proof of physical and mental fitness, and payment of the fee.
| Document | Purpose | Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Official application | Allows you to start the exchange process with the DGT. | Make sure the details match those on your identity document. |
| DNI, NIE, TIE, passport or residence authorization | Proves your identity and residence status. | Bring the original, valid document and a copy if you are completing the process in person. |
| Proof of residence | Shows that you live in Spain. | This may be a TIE, EU registration certificate or other documents requested by the Provincial Traffic Headquarters. |
| Proof that you were not living in Spain when you obtained the licence | This is used to check that you obtained the licence before becoming legally resident in Spain. | Depending on the case, you may need to provide a consular certificate, residence card, registration certificate or other documents. |
| Original foreign driving licence | This is the document to be exchanged. | It must be current and valid, and it will be surrendered when the procedure is completed. |
| Psychophysical fitness report | It certifies that you are fit to drive. | It must be issued by an authorised Driver Assessment Centre. |
| DGT fee | It certifies that you have paid the fee for the procedure. | The fee varies if the exchange requires additional tests. |
Related guides
These pages on Inmigrantes.net may also be helpful:
How much does it cost to exchange a driving licence?
The cost depends on whether the exchange requires additional tests. For the most common motorcycle or car licence exchanges, when no test is required, the fee is usually II.3. If the licence includes professional categories, such as lorries or buses, fee II.1 may apply if tests are required.
| Type of exchange | Usual fee | Indicative amount |
|---|---|---|
| Exchange without additional tests | Fee II.3 | 28,87 € |
| Exchange with additional tests | Fee II.1 | 94,05 € |
Before paying, always check which fee applies to your country and licence category. Exchanging a car licence is not the same as exchanging a professional licence authorising you to drive a lorry or bus.
Do you have to take a test to exchange your driving licence?
Many motorcycle or car licence exchanges do not require a test. However, some professional licences may require additional tests.
Motorcycles and cars
For category A and B licences, the exchange is usually direct if the country has an agreement with Spain and the requirements are met.
Lorries and buses
For category C and D licences, a practical test may usually be required and, depending on the country, a specific theory test may also be required.
How to book a DGT appointment to exchange your driving licence
Exchanging licences from countries with an agreement must be processed through the DGT. In many cases, you can start the procedure online, although you may later need to go to a DGT office to surrender the original licence and obtain the provisional authorisation.
Usual steps
- Check whether your country has a driving licence exchange agreement with Spain.
- Check whether your country requires a reference number or prior verification of the licence.
- Obtain a medical fitness report from an authorised centre.
- Prepare your identity document, proof of residence and original driving licence.
- Apply to exchange your licence through the DGT online portal or by appointment, depending on your case.
- Pay the relevant fee.
- Respond to any requests to correct or complete your application if the DGT asks for additional documents.
- When instructed, attend in person to hand in your original foreign licence and collect your provisional authorisation.
Digital exchange of a driving licence
The DGT has introduced the digital exchange of driving licences to make part of the process available online. You can submit your application online, provide documents and move your case forward without needing to book an in-person appointment from the outset.
Even so, in many cases you will need to attend the Traffic Headquarters in person once your application has been approved, especially to hand in your original foreign licence and receive provisional authorisation to drive.
What you need for the digital exchange
- Access to the DGT online portal.
- A digital certificate, Cl@ve or an authorised representative.
- Legible digital copies of your documents.
- A medical fitness report.
- An active email address for receiving communications from the DGT.
How long does it take to exchange a driving licence?
Processing times can vary considerably. They depend on the country that issued the licence, whether prior verification is required, whether you need to take additional tests and whether your documents are complete.
If everything is in order, the DGT may issue provisional authorisation when you attend to complete the process. The final licence is usually sent to the address you provided, although the exact timeframe may vary depending on workload and the type of application.
Tip: Don’t wait until you have been resident for 6 months if you need to drive for work. If your country requires licence verification, processing may take longer.
Where to exchange your driving licence
Your application to exchange your licence is handled by the Directorate-General for Traffic. Depending on your case, you can start the process online through the DGT online portal or apply by appointment at a Traffic Headquarters or Traffic Office.
The specific location will depend on the province, the type of licence, the country that issued it and whether you need to hand in your original foreign licence in person.
General guidance
Not sure whether you can exchange your driving licence?
If you have questions about your country, documents, DGT appointment or whether your licence is still valid in Spain, check your situation before driving.
Common mistakes when exchanging a driving licence
These are the most common mistakes that can delay or prevent the exchange:
- Assuming that all foreign driving licences can be exchanged.
- Trying to exchange a licence from a country with no agreement.
- Having obtained the foreign licence after becoming a legal resident in Spain.
- Submitting an expired or invalid licence.
- Failing to provide the medical fitness report.
- Failing to provide adequate proof of residence.
- Failing to respond to a DGT request to provide or correct documents on time.
- Driving after 6 months, assuming that the foreign licence is still valid.
- Failing to check whether your licence category requires additional tests.
Frequently asked questions about exchanging a driving licence in Spain
What do I need to exchange my driving licence in Spain?
You normally need to be a resident in Spain, hold a valid and current foreign licence, have a country of origin that has an agreement with Spain, provide proof of identity and residence, submit the original licence, obtain a medical fitness report and pay the relevant fee.
How long can I drive in Spain with a foreign driving licence?
If your licence was issued by a country outside the European Union or the European Economic Area, you can normally drive for a maximum of 6 months from the date you establish your normal residence in Spain, provided your licence is valid and you meet the age requirement.
Which countries’ driving licences can be exchanged in Spain?
Licences issued by countries in the European Union and the European Economic Area, as well as by other countries that have a bilateral agreement with Spain, can be exchanged. These include Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Morocco, Peru, the United Kingdom, the Dominican Republic, Uruguay, Ukraine, Switzerland, Japan, South Korea, Andorra, Monaco and others. Always check the DGT’s current official list.
Do I have to take a test to exchange my driving licence?
For motorcycle or car licences, you usually do not have to take any tests if the country has an agreement with Spain and you meet the requirements. For professional lorry or bus licences, you may have to take a practical test and, depending on the country, a specific theory test as well.
How much does it cost to exchange a driving licence?
The cost depends on whether the exchange requires tests. Exchanges that do not require additional tests are usually subject to fee II.3, which is approximately 28,87 €. If additional tests are required, fee II.1 may apply, which is approximately 94,05 €.
Where do I exchange my driving licence?
The exchange is processed by the Dirección General de Tráfico (DGT). Depending on your case, you can start the process online through the DGT’s Government online portal or by booking an appointment at a Provincial or Local Traffic Office.
Can I exchange a licence obtained after moving to Spain?
In general, foreign licences obtained after a person has become a legal resident in Spain cannot be exchanged, unless there is a specific circumstance that can be used to justify it.
What happens if my country has no agreement with Spain?
If your country has no agreement with Spain on exchanging licences, you will normally be unable to exchange your licence through the standard process. In that case, you will have to obtain a Spanish driving licence.
Final note: Requirements may vary depending on the country where your licence was issued, the type of licence, when you obtained it and your residence status in Spain. Before driving or starting the exchange process, always check the DGT’s official information and the documents required in your case.
